It’s such a cliche to include a white shirt in any top 10 basics list, but this item will genuinely become a fashion essential this year. Forget about officey-fitted versions with naff seaming down the front, and embrace the spirit of Phoebe Philo at Celine – where white shirts were a key trend rather than a filler. Go for something crisp and minimal from Cos.
Shirt with folded down shoulder, £45, by Cos, cosstores.com Photograph: guardian.co.uk
Time to rest those black, power blazers for a while. A tailored jacket will still transform an outfit into a bona fide look, but this year it has to be pale to cut it. Rose pink, oyster, putty – these are the colours that should describe your new basic blazer. Note the same styling rules apply – push up the sleeves and wear something underneath that contradicts the tailoring – just tweak the colour.
Jacket, £85, by Oasis, 01865 881986 Photograph: SARAH LEE/guardian.co.uk
This year’s classic cashmere jumper - provided of course you style it right. It’s all about channelling Parisienne label Isabel Marant and wearing your sweatshirt with something flighty, such as a printed chiffon skirt. This season Gap is, not surprisingly, all over the fashion sweatshirt – not to be confused with the dreadful collegiate GAP sweatshirts they also sell. Aim for a slightly boxy fit for extra fashion points.
Sweatshirt, 29.50, by Gap, 0800 427789 Photograph: SARAH LEE/guardian.co.uk
Good news for denim fiends: it’s not just about jeans this year. A denim shirt – somewhere between mid-blue and chambray – is back on the fashion agenda. You can brave the double denim look – as pictured here at Banana Republic – or you can stay on safer ground and mix a denim shirt with a bold print.
Shirt, £45, by Banana Republic, 020-7758 3550 Photograph: guardian.co.uk
Question – How does a pair of chinos get promoted from Sarah Palin territory to fashion basic? Answer – you roll them up. Actually, that is a little disingenuous, because they should be a narrowish cut and sit just above the hips, unless you are one of the lucky few with a very flat stomach who can get away with wearing them higher up. Pale grey takes them further up the fashion food chain and makes them very easy to combine with your new pale blazer.
Chinos, £65, by Tommy Hilfiger, 020-7287 2843 Photograph: SARAH LEE/guardian.co.uk
Nothing says you “get it” like wearing a basic belt in the “right” way. 2010 is all about the slim belt with a slightly worn feel. The fashion way to wear it is to do the buckle up then pull the end down straight rather than threading it through the loops. The Burberry, Margaret Howell and Stella McCartney catwalks all agreed that this was the way to wear a classic belt. And so it is.
Leather belt, £19.99, by Jil Sander for Uniqlo, 020-7290 8090 Photograph: SARAH LEE/guardian.co.uk
According to the laws of fashion, when something has been around for three seasons or more it has the right to declare itself a basic. Wear them with jeans (any style bar bootcut, obviously) or with rolled chinos, or a skirt. In fact a decent pair of ankle boots will set even the most boring outfit into a fashion context.
Ankle boot, £165, by Russell and Bromley, 020-7629 6903 Photograph: SARAH LEE/guardian.co.uk
We’re talking the ultimate wardrobe blank canvas here. It can be worn with pretty much everything else on this page, which confirms its status as a brilliant basic. A grey version is much less harsh than black and – ignoring the freezing weather for a moment – is far more spring-like.
Dress, £28, by asos.com Photograph: SARAH LEE/guardian.co.uk
For a skirt to qualify as a brilliant basic it should strike the right balance between anonymous and showy. A not too tight, not too short skirt feels just right for now and this Reiss version is perfect. The cappuccino colour looks classy and is just gagging to be worn with a white shirt. Proof that two well-chosen basics can add up to a hot fashion look.
Skirt, £95, Reiss, 020-7473 9630 Photograph: SARAH LEE/guardian.co.uk
A few seasons ago fashion finally overcame its collective pashmina phobia and embraced decorative scarves again. Fuller versions have now taken over from giant sunglasses as the go-to accessory to convey that “hiding from the paparazzi” look. But a printed cotton version should now be a key component of your spring wardrobe, even if you haven’t slept with a famous person.
Scarf, £16, by Topshop, 0845 121 4519 Photograph: guardian.co.uk
